For great shine and lusty luster, make a pumpkin hair mask by mixing together one cup of pumpkin with one-half cup plain yogurt and one tablespoon of honey. Mush it into your scalp and out to the ends of your hair and wrap your head with a shower cap or towel; let sit for up to 30 minutes. Cleanse hair as usual.

To make a sleepy time herbal syrup – place about 3/4 cup lemon balm leaves into a small pot and add enough water to just cover the leaves. Simmer, covered partially, until the liquid is reduced in half. Strain out and compost the leaves.

While still quite warm, measure out about 1/2 cup of the concentrated tea and stir 1/4 cup raw honey into it. Add more honey to taste, if you wish.

You can make larger or smaller batches – keeping a ratio of about 2 parts lemon balm infusion to 1 part honey. Store in the refrigerator for a week or so.

Dose by the spoonful at night to help calm and relax everyone from children to adults. (Keeping in mind that honey should not be given to infants under one year old.)

Treat rough, dry areas of skin anywhere on the body with a mixture of equal parts of honey, lemon juice, and vegetable oil. This honey lotion should be rubbed into the dry area and massaged well for a few minutes. It will lighten the skin tone and add a new resiliency and softness to the skin if used regularly.

This is a skin toner that does wonders for the delicate skin around the eyes. To make this preparation, combine 1 teaspoon of warm honey with one unbeaten egg white. Mix these ingredients well, then with moist finger tips, pat the mixture into the area around the eyes. Always use a gentle patting motion. Allow time for the honey-egg white mixture to dry on the skin, and then remove gently with warm water.

Honey makes an excellent facial, and can be used by itself, or in combination with other ingredients. When applying honey to the skin, first moisten your fingers with warm water and shake off the excess. Pull your hair back and use a towel to protect your clothing and shoulders. Pat the honey gently onto your face and neck, allow it to remain for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

If you have oily skin, add a few drops of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the rinse water.

Queen Anne of England had a honey treatment for her famously magnificent hair. Though extremely simple in its content, this recipe for Queen Anne’s hair “elixir” was so closely guarded that it became known only after her death.

The Recipe:

Take one cup of honey and 1/2 cup of the finest grade of cold-pressed olive oil. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly with an egg beater or in a blender, and store in a tightly covered jar or other container. Try to prepare the mixture one or two days ahead of time, but do not refrigerate.

About 1/2 hour before shampooing your hair, condition it with this honey brew. First, shake the mixture vigorously, as the oil and honey will have separated. Then, apply a generous amount of the solution to the hair; work it thoroughly through the hair and into the scalp.

Next, wrap a plastic bag or warm towel around your hair and fasten it snugly. Leave the honey bath on your hair from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the texture and condition of your hair prior to the treatment.

As the treatment tends to darken hair, it is probably best to use it only on dark hair. When the treatment is complete, shampoo your hair as usual. Rinse well and towel dry.